Claudette Linzey, Digital Media Specialist

Recent Posts

In the spring of 2016, our Marsh & McLennan Agency's San Diego office began a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County (BBBS) through Beyond School Walls (BSW). BSW is an innovative one-to-one youth mentoring program that matches colleagues from neighboring companies with students from area schools in the professional workspace. Through BSW, youth can learn the ins and outs of working for a corporation and the educational requirements needed to achieve professional success. And most importantly, the mentoring program builds strong, supportive relationships.

Roughly twenty MMA colleagues (Bigs) were matched with students (Littles), ranging from ages 11 to 13. A BBBS staff member then managed the program on site while Bigs and Littles worked together on curriculum provided by BBBS. They also toured the office and other times just talked with one another about things like friendship, getting along with teachers, life goals, peer pressure, etc.

Brian McMann, Recruitment Manager at MMA since 2008, gives us the inside scoop on what he looks for in the next MMA associate and what new hires can expect once they become part of the team.

What do you look for in candidates?

For all of our open positions, I look for candidates that are career-oriented, professional, motivated, accountable and have the aptitude and excitement to learn. For sales roles, I would also add dynamic, focused, persistent, fearless, and being big-picture oriented. Those attributes are the differentiators for us. Don’t get me wrong - technical knowledge is important. But knowledge and expertise can always be acquired and developed. Possessing these key qualities as a foundation, however, generally makes a person a great fit for our team.

What makes Marsh & McLennan Agency unique?

The people are engaged and passionate, which creates a great working environment. There is also a ton of opportunity for growth and development. We have been growing steadily for years, which makes it possible to advance within the company, take on more responsibility and earn more money.

We also have a Personal Excellence Program (P.E.P.) led by our organizational learning team. Our associates have access to programs and resources which allow them to earn designations and certificates, go to association meetings, and attend seminars in an effort to continue to develop their expertise. Within a relatively short period of time, there’s no reason not to be better than when you started here.

On November 2, 2016, MMA GROW* hosted its Inaugural Orange County Keynote Speaker Event at Center Club in Costa Mesa. U.S. Paralympian Allison Compton inspired the audience with her personal story of empowerment.

Allison lobbied to create the first U.S. Women’s Paralympic Volleyball Team and played for the team for many years. The team brought home the gold from Rio this past summer. In addition to her success on the court, Allison has developed a successful career in business. In her address, she shared her experiences, the things she’s learned as a competitive athlete and how those lessons positively impact her life today.

Allison was born with an undeveloped femur and has worn a prosthetic leg since she began to walk. While she encountered obstacles along the way, Allison never let them keep her from living her life and playing the game she loved. She says, “It was never a matter of if I could do something, it was how.”

Assistance League of Santa Ana serves over 2750 children, teens, and seniors through multiple programs including dental care, eye care, and Operation School Bell, which supplies underprivileged youth with the appropriate clothing and school supplies they need for the upcoming school year. Operation School Bell aims to help make students indistinguishable from their classmates, build their pride, and reduce the problem of school absences due to inadequate clothing.

Last week, Marsh & McLennan Agency associates volunteered with one of our 2016 Barney & Barney Foundation Grant Recipients – Girls Inc. Associates had the opportunity to spend some time with Girls Inc. at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in San Leandro and participate in one of their research-based programs. Girls Inc., along with Junior Achievement of Northern California will be honored and awarded grants on Monday, November 7 at the 2016 Bay Area Golf Tournament.

In April 2015, the Barney & Barney Foundation challenged associates to use their time and talent to make a difference in our local communities by volunteering 5,000 hours cumulatively in thirteen months. Our associates not only took on the challenge, they knocked it out of the park, donating 6,483 hours to their passion projects and favorite organizations. Here are the results by the numbers:

Total participants: 187

Most hours volunteered by one person: 390

Number of volunteers who served over 20 hours: 62

Encouraged to spend time with nonprofits close to their heart, our associates took on roles at over one hundred different organizations. Associates did everything from cleaning up local parks and beaches to teaching children about sustainable gardening and growing food locally. Barney & Barney associates could be found planting trees, serving meals, and tutoring high school students in preparation for college.

To encourage volunteers to go above and beyond, the Barney & Barney Foundation awarded grants to associates who volunteered 20 or more hours. The impact on their chosen non-profits was two-fold, the gift of time and treasure. Sixty-three associates qualified for a grant and because of their commitment to the community, the Barney & Barney Foundation donated $20,800 to local nonprofits, an increase of $6,000 over the previous year.

Dove Canyon Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus signature course designed with the “Masters’ touch,” set between the beautiful mountains and canyons of Orange County. Golfers can take a swing at the exclusive par-71 course, all while raising money for CHOC Children’s NICU.

We’d like to thank all of our sponsors, attendees, donors and volunteers for making this year’s Rock the Foundation benefit concert our best one yet! Since its inception in 2009, the Barney & Barney Foundation has awarded over $1.7 million in charitable grants.

On October 1st, the Foundation honored seven California non-profits and awarded a total of $200,000 in grants—the greatest amount in the organization’s history. Click here for the press release.

Are you up for an amazing night out and the opportunity to give back to some incredible non-profit organizations? Then the Barney & Barney Foundation’s 2015 Rock the Foundation benefit concert is the place for you! Returning to the Paddock at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Thursday, October 1st, this year’s concert is sure to be another memorable, can’t-miss event. And the best part? That very evening, the Foundation will award grants to seven deserving non-profits from San Diego, Orange County and the Bay Area. Learn more and buy your tickets here.

Located in Santa Ana, Women Helping Women/Men 2 Work (WHW) provides unemployed and underemployed individuals the skills and resources needed to secure a job. During MMA's volunteer event, associates got the opportunity to team up with WHW clients and serve as their personal shoppers to pick out interview outfits. Once each client made their choice and dressed in their new professional attire, the clients and associates participated in mock interviews, offering the job seekers a chance to practice their interview skills.

Following these activities, Principal Chuck Rosenberger, Barney & Barney Foundation Executive Director Arlene Lieberman and MMA associates held a Q&A session. Clients asked detailed questions and associates shared their experiences about the interview process and tips for success after being hired.